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Tuesday, 30 July 2013

EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Tottenham man says selling Gareth Bale would be GOOD for the club

FORMER Tottenham star John Scales reckons a world-record sale of Gareth Bale would be GOOD for the club.

Gareth Bale's future at Spurs is uncertain

The 24-year-old Welsh wizard wants to speak to Real Madrid over a possible move to the Bernabeu.

Spurs are set to land a huge transfer fee of over £80m if he does go - and ex-England international Scales believes the sale of their prized asset is not a bad thing.

Scales told Starsport: "It's not all doom and gloom. Spurs have got themselves an incredible deal on the table.

"It's pretty clear they have made a world-record bid - or are preparing to. Real Madrid could put a couple of players in it too. Fabio Coentrao and Angel di Maria might be part of it.

Tottenham star Gareth Bale

“They've got a great young manager in Andre Villas-Boas - but Real Madrid are huge”

John Scales

"They would both be quality additions to the squad. Spurs would still have money to buy more, too.

"It's a chance for the club to take the next step and push on and become a top-four side.

"They're close to signing Roberto Soldado - he'll be a good buy. Paulinho is a great addition to the midfield too.

"It's all well and good Gareth Bale being a pivotal part of the side but you need depth in the squad.

"Selling him for a fee like that gives Andre Villas-Boas a chance to spend and strengthen. You could be looking at four or five great additions."

John Scales spent four years at Tottenham

Bale scored 26 goals in all competitions last season and won a host of individual awards.

United sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Madrid in 2009 but Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy wants Real to pay more for their wing wonder.

Scales, who spent four years at White Hart Lane after signing from Liverpool, added: "You can't blame Levy trying to squeeze every penny he can out of them. If he can get an extra £5m, that's a lot of money in itself.

"Gareth's got better and better every year for the past four years. Real Madrid want the best in the world.

"They've signed Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo in the past, although those three were all at big clubs before coming.

Scales expects big things from Soldado

"Ronaldo scored 42 goals in a season - he won the Premier League at United - but Gareth's case is different.

"I'm not surprised at all that Gareth is interested. The way Marca have come out and said what they've said, it's no surprise Bale has asked for talks.

"I understand where he is coming from. It's an absolutely incredible opportunity for him.

"It's about bettering yourself as a player. Spurs are a very, very good side. They've got a great young manager in Andre Villas-Boas - but Real Madrid are huge.

"As a professional player this opportunity doesn't come around often. He's playing at the peak of his powers."